Chapter 33: Xiao Yan's Breakthrough

In the Abyssal World, the Great Array of Five Elements had suffered damage during its explosive reversal. It took Qin Shu a full month and a half to restore the five directional flags to their original state.

Simultaneously, his internal karma true essence cycled through consumption and replenishment, gradually increasing as he underwent this three-day breakthrough. The virtual shadow of the Cyan Lotus within his dantian sea grew more solid with each moment. Its lotus leaves fully materialized from ethereal form into tangible substance.

Next, the lotus stem began to condense, continuously channeling true essence towards the lotus flower above. This marked the seamless progression of his late Foundation Establishment cultivation base toward perfection—a natural culmination akin to water flowing downhill.

Meanwhile, in the blood pact space within his sea of consciousness, Xiao Yan’s strength had reached the pinnacle of the Qi Refinement stage, on the brink of breaking through to the next level.

Sensing this milestone, Qin Shu released him at once.

“Master,” Xiao Yan pleaded, “I’m so hungry, I feel like I might starve to death.”

The secret chamber could no longer accommodate him; after all, as a fusion between Celestial Dragon and Vermilion Bird lineages, the Green Flame Dragon Finch would reach an immensely colossal size upon maturity. In just months, he stood over four meters tall when upright—an unexpected development for Qin Shu.

“Hold on,” Qin Shu said hastily. “I’ll get you something to eat right away.” With that, he retracted Xiao Yan back into the blood pact space.

Activating the villa’s array, a dense mist began to spread throughout the expansive courtyard. Within moments, it enveloped the entire area in a veil of obscurity.

Only after this did Qin Shu release Xiao Yan once more.

As it emerged, Xiao Yan unfurled its wings wide open. “This place is much better,” it said. “It was far too cramped inside.”

Qin Shu retrieved several tons of second-rank monster meat from his space ring. “Here you go, enjoy your meal.”

“Thank you, Master.” Xiao Yan always ate with remarkable speed; what would have been a cubic meter of beast flesh vanished in a single gulp.

“Is that enough?” asked Qin Shu.

“More than enough,” replied Xiao Yan. After all, even one mouthful of second-rank monster meat—being of a higher power level by a tier—left Xiao Yan feeling utterly satisfied. “I’m so drowsy now!”

With those words, Xiao Yan retracted its slender legs and slowly sprawled onto the ground. Its feathers began to glow with a azure light, shimmering like blue flames.

The spiritual energy around them started converging towards Xiao Yan, quickly forming a small whirlpool of ethereal essence.

However, due to the presence of a miniature spirit vein beneath the surface, the disturbance caused by Xiao Yan’s transformation remained relatively minor.

Qin Shu stood guard nearby, quietly awaiting Xiao Yan’s metamorphosis.

In the dense fog where visibility barely extended beyond arm’s reach, a sphere of blue radiance seemed capable of piercing through the very heart of darkness itself.

The breakthrough from first rank to second didn’t take long. In such an environment rich with spiritual energy, Xiao Yan completed its transformation in less than a day.

The second-rank demonic pet now stood tall—its slender legs alone reached Qin Shu’s shoulder when it perched upright. With its elongated neck added to its body, it soared nearly five meters high in full extension.

“Master,” it said in a still-childish girl’s voice, “you’re so tiny!”

Qin Shu playfully smacked its knee. “I’m human; you’re a bird. Of course we can’t be the same size.”

“Heh heh!” Xiao Yan chuckled bashfully before asking, “Master, I’d like to go out and fly for a bit. Is that okay with you?”

Qin Shu shook his head. “It’s not convenient here. Let me take you outside the city first, and while we’re at it, why don’t you give me a ride too?”

“Yes, yes!” Xiao Yan eagerly agreed.

In an instant, a flash of azure light signaled as Qin Shu summoned her into their blood pact space.

As the dense fog dissipated, the entire villa was once again bathed in sunlight.

Without conscious thought, Qin Shu raised his hand to check his communicative watch—it read 6:30 AM sharp.

Three unread messages glowed prominently on the screen, all from Lu Yixi.

Zhao Gongqian must have given my contact details to the Lu Family, Qin Shu realized.

Qin Shu hadn’t responded—not even glanced at these notifications.

The second message read: “Are you still in seclusion?” dated from three days ago.

The most recent one, half a month back, said: “If you’ve emerged, could you please respond?”

In the end, he couldn’t resist checking them. Ignoring unread messages was unacceptable; with that thought, Qin Shu promptly replied:

“Just emerged from seclusion. Thank you for your kindness, but no need for dinner—I have other matters to attend to.”

Having made his refusal clear, there was no point in stringing anyone along. I’m not some philanderer, Qin Shu insisted internally. I don’t play games of unrequited affection.

In his previous life, as an overworked employee barely out of youth, he’d never had time for such entanglements. Considering this lifetime too, it amounted to two lives spent single—he certainly hadn’t developed any skills at playing hard-to-get or leading on others.

After sending his reply, Qin Shu mounted his sword and took flight, leaving behind the villa as he headed towards the outskirts of town.

His Flying Sand Sword had already been registered with the relevant authorities, allowing him unrestricted access to Nine Yong City provided he maintained an altitude above ten thousand meters.

Qin Shu gripped the hilt tightly, ascending vertically until he reached the prescribed height before expanding the blade to serve as both mount and platform beneath his feet.

In the distance, flashes of sword light occasionally pierced the sky—many chose to travel by flying sword due to its speed advantage over conventional aerial cars. It offered greater convenience and agility in transit.

With a swift flicker of steel, Qin Shu departed Nine Yong City at breakneck velocity, eventually hovering above an endless expanse of flatlands far below.

Next, he released Xiao Yan.

The sudden appearance in mid-air startled Xiao Yan, causing it to flail its wings wildly before finally regaining control.

“Master, you’re so naughty,” Xiao Yan chided softly.

“Hahaha!” Qin Shu laughed heartily, then leaped from Flying Sand Sword onto Xiao Yan’s back with a single bound. “Let’s go—show me just how fast you can be.”

“Just hold on tight, Master.” With a soft cry, green flames blazed to life around Xiao Yan as it vibrated its wings. In an instant, they transformed into a streak of azure light—a blur that defied comprehension.

Qin Shu couldn’t even hear the wind rushing past them.

This was the divine ability known as Celestial Dragon Transformation, though not yet fully activated. Nevertheless, the power inherited through his bloodline allowed Xiao Yan to far surpass other creatures of its rank in speed—and even outpace Qin Shu’s own sword mastery.

Fast— unbelievably fast—at least twenty times the speed of sound.

Yet sitting atop Xiao Yan, Qin Shu felt no wind at all. The flight-generated air currents automatically isolated them from any turbulence. It was far more comfortable than riding his sword; involuntarily, he lay back, gazing up at the clouds streaming by overhead—a picture of contentment.

For Xiao Yan, this was its first true flight—an opportunity to revel in the sky without restraint. It executed a series of daring maneuvers one after another, each more impressive than the last.

However, Qin Shu remained firmly pressed against Xiao Yan’s back, ensuring he wouldn’t be flung off.

After flying for roughly two hours, Xiao Yan finally sated his curiosity.

“Master,” he said, “let’s return home now.”

“Agreed. Let’s head back.”

The man and bird once again soared through the skies above Nine Yong City. Upon arrival, Qin Shu summoned Xiao Yan into their blood pact space before landing precisely within the villa’s courtyard.

Stretching lazily mid-air—a maneuver only possible with a qilin as one’s mount—Qin Shu felt considerably more refreshed than before.

Beep beep beep!

His communication watch chimed insistently.

This was getting rather persistent.

Qin Shu pondered briefly before deciding that addressing matters face-to-face would be best. He replied simply: “Time and place.”

At the Immortal District, Lu Family residence, Lu Yixi’s room—

“Yes!” She leaped up in delight, though she herself couldn’t quite fathom why she was so elated.

Moments later, another message arrived: “How about noon? At the Food God Restaurant in the Immortal District. I’ll come fetch you there.”

A peculiar expression crossed Qin Shu’s face; it felt almost like their genders had been swapped somehow. Nevertheless, he responded affirmatively: “Works for me!”

“The Food God Restaurant… I’ve never been there before,” he mused aloud. Suddenly, he found himself looking forward to the outing—if nothing else, who among humans could resist the allure of good food?